STAAR Biology - 7A

The diagram above shows a model of species divergence among some primates. If this model is correct, the greatest genetic differences would be found in the DNA sequences of which two species?

• Tarsius bancanus and Cebus albifrons
• Macaca sylvanus and Macaca mulatta
• Hylobates lar and Pongo pygmaeus
• Pan troglodytes and Lemur catta

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Zoogeographic regions are characterized by the presence of specific groups of animals. These regions are determined by the taxonomic or phylogenetic relationships of animals. The map shows the zoogeographic regions proposed by the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1876.
The similarities of organisms in which two areas numbered above provide the best evidence for common ancestry between the organisms in both locations?

• 1 and 2
• 3 and 4
• 5 and 6
• 7 and 8

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The limbs of several organisms are shown in the illustrations below. Scientists sometimes compare the limbs of these organisms to look for evidence of common ancestry.

These limbs provide evidence of common ancestry because they —

• have the same basic structure
• perform the same function
• are the same size
• are parts of mammals

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The opossum, which is native to North America, and the kangaroo, which is native to Australia, are marsupials.

The fact that both these mammals incubate their immature offspring in a pouch provides evidence that they —

• belong to the same species
• must range great distances to eat
• have very similar skeletal structures
• are descended from a common ancestor

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Genome maps provide the DNA sequences of chromosomes. Some scientists have compared the genome maps of a hedgehog and a sloth. What do these genome maps allow the scientists to determine?

• The color patterns of the offspring of each species
• How much the size ranges of the two species differ
• The methods of protein synthesis that each species uses
• How closely related the two species are to each other

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An analysis of DNA and RNA sequences can be used to classify organisms. A dendrogram, such as the one shown below, is based on molecular data. It can be used to represent evolutionary relationships within a group of organisms that are hypothesized to have descended from a common ancestor.

Which statement is best supported by the information in this dendrogram?

• Lesser pandas are more genetically similar to giant pandas than they are to raccoons.
• Brown bears are more genetically similar to giant pandas than they are to sun bears.
• Lesser pandas are more genetically similar to raccoons than they are to giant pandas.
• The bear species are all more genetically similar to dogs than they are to giant pandas.

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Three species of lizards of the genus Gallotia are found on the Canary Islands, a chain of seven volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa. The easternmost island, Lanzarote, is the oldest, while the westernmost island, El Hierro, is the youngest. The distribution of lizard species is shown on the map below.

Which statement about the ancestry of the lizards from the genus Gallotia is best supported by this information?

• The common ancestor of the lizards first colonized the island of El Hierro
• The ancestors of each species came from different continents at different times
• The common ancestor of the lizards probably came from Africa
• The ancestors of each species evolved in Spain and were brought to the islands at the same time

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